Entertainment Media Analysis ReportA service to His little ones (which includes at-home teens) through you, their parents and grandparents, in His name by His WordMAR23072 (2003), PG
Analysis Date: July 25, 2003
CAP Score: 88 out of 100
CAP Influence Density: 0.21
MinMax: -41Now with Comparative Scoring Data Distribution
of the three Spy Kids movies!

ALERT: To fully understand this report you should first visit the topics suggested by the CAP Site Map (Table of Contents). Further, if you do not want the plot, ending, or "secrets" of a movie spoiled for you, skip the Summary/Commentary. In any case, be sure to visit the Findings/Scoring section -- it is completely objective to His Word and is the heart of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model applied to this movie.

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SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:

If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary likely using a mix of KJV and NIV.

ADDENDUM September 14, 2003. At the end of the Summary Commetary section below is an addendum providing a special Comparative Scoring Data Distribution graphic of the three Spy Kids movies!

Subjectively speaking, Sky Kids 3-D: Game Over is a downgrade from either of the first two, Spy Kids or Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams. But then, I am no longer ten years old. Spy Kids earned a CAP final score of 88. Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams earned a 71. Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over earned an 88 as did the first Spy Kids movie.

Spy Kids 3-D never takes itself too seriously. It is always just having fun. And about half of it is in 3-D which is certainly a novelty for the target age since a 3-D movie has not been made for that age stratum for years. Probably for more years that that age stratum is old. A typical comment from that age stratum in the audience on opening night was "Awesome."

Juni (Daryl Sabara) has had a run-in with OSS. He has retired from the spy business and works as a private investigator determining why there is no water in a water theme park in the winter, searching for lost toys and retrieving treed cats for $4.95 each case. OSS keeps trying to get Juni back but in every instance he refuses and barks at them to leave him alone.

But this time, Juni caved in and returned to OSS. Carmen (Alexa Vega), Juni's sister has been captured by the evil Sebastian Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone) and has been imprisoned in his latest creation, Game Over. The Game Over is a virtual reality game that can permanently capture kids' minds. In 12 hours the game will be released and millions of kids will play it and become likewise captured. Carmen was trying to find a way to disable the game when she became a victim of it.

Juni must beat levels one, two, three and four to enter level five to shut the game down to rescue his sister and all who would be victims of it. But once level five is reached, it is "game over: and the player's mind is permanently captured by the game.

Each level is increasingly difficult. Juni finds help along the way from a couple boys who have been battling to get to level five and from a delightful young lady named Demetra (Courtney Jines) who starts out as a foe for Juni in a battle between mega-robots. Of greatest help to Juni is his grandfather (Ricardo Montalban) who, in the game, becomes free of his wheelchair and stands a virtual giant. Isn't standing as a "giant" true of most grandfathers?

Several characters return and some new characters cameo appearances. Antonio Banderas is back as Gregorio Cortez, Juni's father as is Carla Gugino as Ingrid Cortez as Juni's mother whose biggest contribution is "Let's kick some ... metal." Ricardo Montalban plays a significant role in this Spy Kids version as Juni's grandfather with Holland Taylor returning as Juni's grandmother. Matthew O'Leary is back as Gary Giggles as is Salma Hayek as Cesca Giggles and Emily Osment as Gerti Giggles. Cheech Marin returns as Felix Gumm and Danny Trejo as Machete. Back from the first Spy Kids is Alan Cumming as Fegan Floop. Steve Buscemi as Romero and Bill Paxton as Dinky Winks compliment the cast. New to the cast includes George Clooney as Devlin/the President and Elijah Wood as The Guy.

There are many good things said in Spy Kids 3-D. One was to look not at mere appearances to judge the heart. [John 7:24] By mere appearance, the grandfather was helpless and wheelchair bound. The truth about the character came not from appearances but by his heart revealed by his deeds. The grandfather's deeds, though fantasy, while in virtual reality made him a giant for Juni. What was in the grandfather's courageous and sacrificial heart was the true judgment of the grandfather: that his behavior, the "contents of the package" not the "package", defined his character. The flip side of judging by mere appearances is also true. What appears to be good from what is ON the package does not reveal the contents IN it. The contents of the good-appearing package (deeds) may not be Biblically honorable as is the case with Alan Cumming. Cumming is a fine performer in children's movies (a good "package") but what is seen on the package is not always the contents his heart (his deeds, including in private). Judge we must the behaviors of others (even our own) rather than from superficial elements such as appearance or that which is openly shown else we will not be able to discern good from bad or righteousness from evil. Judge we must but righteously, which means by using the Scriptures to measure what is in the heart. We must try to be like our Lord who "looketh on the heart" rather than the "package." [1 Samuel 16:7] And by what better means may we look on the heart than by deeds rather than appearances? "Judge not lest ye be judged" [Matt. 7:1] does NOT mean to not judge at all. It means to not judge superficially and carelessly but by the heart instead in accordance with the Scriptures.

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SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S)
If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. [See? Jesus TELLS us to judge, but to do so righteously, i.e., by the heart of the subject and according to the Scriptures.]

1 Sam. 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Matt. 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry***

Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about [e.g., create progressively vile/offensive entertainment with impunity and no consequences to younger and younger audiences every year] when what is vile is honored among men [when enough people continue to defend it, embrace it, pay for it, enjoy it, want it]. [I call attention to Ps. 12:8 to warn of the creeping desensitizing power of "entertainment."]

Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

1 Cor. 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (NIV) Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.

Jude 4 For certain men* whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change [warp, distort, falsely represent, situationally redefine, counterfeit, conditionally apply] the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]

Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto [or for] one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto [or for] me.

Luke 17:2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. [cause by teaching or example]

As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie.

FINDINGS / SCORING:

Wanton Violence/Crime (W)

great falls

action violence, repeatedly

race violence

game character deaths using live actors/actrsses (two)

hit to silence

Impudence/Hate (I)

blaming brother for sister's misfortune

bully tactics, force to coerce

cehating with a lie

deceit for personal gain

"Let's kick some ... metal."

Sexual Immorality (S)

gamming

Drugs/Alcohol (D):

none noted

Offense to God (O)

none noted

Murder/Suicide (M)

none noted

ADDENDUM: September 14, 2003: As an added feature to this analysis report, I have prepared a comparative graphic of the scoring data distribution for the three Spy Kids movies. This is where the rubber meets the road, the finest at-a-glance tool available to parents and grandparents plus pastors and other youth leaders. We give you the objective data, you do the "math" of deciding whether a film is or is not fit for your family without having to see the film for yourself first!

Comparative Scoring Data Distribution for the Three Spy Kids Movies

Except for a "sag in the middle" in Spy Kids 2, the graphic above shows you that the morality of the three shows are somewhat equivalent. And they show you where the concentration of assaults on wholesome ethics and morality lie. At a glance. You, likely having seen all three Spy Kids movies by now, can now see the reliability of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model and how it can completely replace the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating system. There is no other media analysis model like the CAP model on the planet. None can give you the detail we do in such an objective, compact [copyrighted] package. All you need to know is that the higher the "mercury" in a thermometer, the better the relative level of morality. When you use the CAP Thermometers combined with the listings in the Findings/Scoring section in each report, ALL the bases are covered regarding giving you the information YOU need to make an informed decision about the fitness of a movie for your family. And you do not even need to make a comparison with a second set of thermometers to judge whether a film is or is not fit for your family. The only method better than the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model for deciding whether a movie is fit for your family is you watching it for yourself before deciding whether to let your children/teens watch it. For more information about how to use the CAP services, visit How to Use the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Reports.

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"There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our more than eight years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings.

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